Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders due to a failure to obtain VA opinions despite evidence of in-service and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with cervical herniated disk and sleep apnea, resulting in the dismissal of both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation of loss of cervical spine motion, status post internal carotid artery stent placement.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and a compensable evaluation, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities and ratings was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, and heart disease due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain (claimed as cervicothoracic spine pain), and a right forearm scar. The claims for posttraumatic residual pain and dysfunction of the knees, an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and chronic headaches were remanded.

The Board found new and relevant evidence was received to warrant readjudication of the appeals for service connection, but ultimately denied service connection for left 3rd and 4th finger disability, cervical disability, right upper extremity pain and paresthesia, and left upper extremity pain and paresthesia. The claims for sternum disability and bilateral big toe disability were remanded.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran not timely filing a Notice of Disagreement.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar disability, as well as entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) under 38 U.S.C. §1318, for further development.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left hip disability, and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative low back disability, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for psychiatric disability prior to December 16, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative disease of the cervical spine (claimed as neck pain), and lumbosacral strain (claimed as lower back injury) to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and chronic fatigue syndrome to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for COPD and low back disability, but dismissed the claims for right and left knee disabilities. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus and a higher rating for coronary artery disease.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical strain to obtain an addendum medical opinion that considers the Veteran's reports of in-service symptoms and injuries, including those sustained during combat.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, granted an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating of bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, and remanded several claims including service connections for various disorders.